Accra (Greater Accra) 5th July '99
Ghana is to push the Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC) further with the enactment of legislation on chemical weapons soon.
A draft to this effect is to be put before Cabinet for consideration to promote bilateral trade in chemicals used in pharmaceutical, agricultural, petroleum and allied industries.
This was disclosed to newsmen at the Kotoka International airport by Mr Lee T. Ocran, Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), after leading a two member delegation to the fourth session of the Conference of the Parties and States to the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in the Hague.
The four day conference was organised by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and attended by 102 states, the United Nations, United Nation Environmental Programme, International Atomic Energy Agency and six non governmental organisations.
Mr Ocran said the convention would enable Ghana to benefit from the exchange of scientific and technological information in the field of chemistry.
" This will eventually have a positive impact on Ghana's science and technological development by training Ghanaian experts in our chemical management".
He said Ghana's membership in CWC would enable her to benefit from the Trans-Boundary movement of chemicals and allied products as well as prepare the nation for meaningful action in the event of any chemical disaster.
Ghana ratified the convention in July 1997 and has fulfilled a number of obligations including the establishment of an Interim National Authority with representation from key stakeholders including MEST, ministries of foreign Affairs, Defence, Trade and Industry, Food and Agriculture, Standards Board and the Customs Excise and Preventive Service.
